Aether knew that there had been a hidden reason behind Ningguang's reconstruction of the Jade Chamber.
But nothing could have prepared him to just suddenly come face-to-face with another ancient ocean deity. One that seemed to be far angrier than the one that he had to help subdue in his first Liyue excursion.
Though to be fair, if one were to see the very thing that destroyed their significant other, you probably would want to erase that very something out of existence all the same. The anger would probably be justifiable.
What worries him had been their relative chances. They were able to garner the help of the adeptus beforehand. Yet, they only have their selves to rely on this time around. Other than Shenhe and himself, these forces are relatively human. That small part of him couldn't help but feel a tiny bit more worried than he had been before.
Especially when he observed the shoreline defences down below them.
While they had extra assistance in the form of Beidou and the Alcor, coupled with the fact that the risk for civilian casualties is in the negative due to their location in Guyun Stone Forest – the safety of those manning the arrays of ballistas is something that he couldn't help but pay more attention to.
Attention that was multiplied, when he saw that it had been none other than Keqing who was leading the squadron.
Unflinching even in the presence of an ancient deity.
He couldn't see it from so far up, but he could tell that she had that signature look of determination in her eyes.
Damn it. That's why she hadn't been talking about work for the past couple of days.
Most definitely, she hadn't wanted to get him involved.
As much as he wanted to chalk it up to her being worried about his own safety, he knew that it was also due to something that was bigger than the two of them.
Ningguang's words flashed through his mind once more.
"In this human age, the people of Liyue must find a way to overcome this crisis on our strength alone."
Of course, knowing both the Qixing and Keqing herself – none of them would ever pass on an opportunity to prove their selves.
He just wishes that they shouldn't have had to such big risks to do so.
However, the battle had begun in a manner that almost made Aether thought that his worries had been completely unwarranted.
With the Jade Chamber's amplification, Ningguang's jade stars became a weapon more formidable than the one that he had seen previously. Able summon a larger, more devastating amount of them. Completely setting Beisht onto the back foot.
The modified Guizhong ballistas had also turned out to be a huge success. Now no longer requiring an adeptus to operate them, it seemed to a huge breakthrough in terms of Liyue's defensive options. What with a couple of them mounted onto the Alcor itself, it served as a great attack against the struggling Overlord Vortex.
Yet, it still hadn't fully quelled his worries.
And the moment Beisht suddenly let out a booming roar, he knew that something big was about to unfold.
This time, in a form of a giant tsunami that had appeared out of practically thin air. Considering the size that it was able to grow to in a matter of second.
One that was heading straight for the Jade Chamber, the Alcor, and the shoreline defences.
It had been heading straight to where Keqing had been commanding the millelith.
His mind didn't have time to rationalize his decision. Only one thing stuck to his actions.
He had to protect her.
Leaping from the Jade Chamber, he wasted no time in getting his own sword out. Ready to distract the deity in anyway that he can. Anything that could prevent the tsunami from reaching its designated targets.
Anything that would stop it from reaching her.
When Beisht began charging up for a different attack, he thought that he had done enough. That the distraction was enough to divert her attention to himself.
But it had caused him to let his guard down, and when the vicious beam was released from the mouth of the serpent – he didn't have ample time to sufficiently meet it head on.
Try as he might, it was still a god that he had been trying to fight.
The moment the beam finally made contact with his futile parrying; his vision became enveloped with white.
He felt the air get knocked out of his lungs in an instant. Only to have it happen again when he felt his body slam onto the side of a mountain.
Though his vision was still blurry due to the impact, he could tell that his efforts had apparently been in vain.
The tsunami was still heading for her.
And there was nothing that he could do about it.
As he plummeted to the ground below, he could only hope that someone would be able to do something about it. The image of Keqing against that huge wave of the ocean being a vision that he couldn't bear to think about.
But when he felt that someone had caught him from his fall, he then remembered that there was someone else who could still change the tide of the battle.
And to his expectations, Shenhe did not disappoint.
The moment she froze the tsunami and shattered it to pieces, he was not only mesmerized by the power of the adeptus-trained human – but also relieved at the implications of successfully repelling the massive attack.
When she jumped out to follow the Overlord Vortex, he knew that it was his turn to repay the favour.
With Paimon catching up to him, they followed her into the whirlpool forming in the ocean. The look of surprise on her face an amusing one when they sidled up to her side. His mind recovering the rationality that he probably could've used before he leaped towards one of the deity's beams.
"What are you doing here?"
Aether didn't think again.
"You just saved someone dear to me."
Brandishing his sword, he got into position with an adamant stare within his eyes.
"Let me return the favour."
After they finished dealing with Beisht, Ningguang caught to them whilst they catch their breaths on the other side of their shoreline defence island. The millelith officer, Zhengmao, alongside Ningguang thanking Shenhe for saving them all from a potential catastrophe in casualties.
A quick visit from Cloud Retainer also ensued. Her subtle approval of the Qixing's performance through the trial was enough for Ningguang to consider their efforts to be a success in all categories.
They were about to head towards the Jade Chamber, before the Zhengmao stopped Aether in his tracks.
"Excuse me, Traveler. But Lady Keqing informed me that she had something to discuss with you. She's waiting for you on the other side of the island."
He exchanged a look with Shenhe and Paimon before nodding towards them.
"Alright, you guys go on ahead. I'll catch up with you later."
Paimon swiftly replied with a nod, ushering Shenhe along, "Okay! We'll see you at the Jade Chamber then."
He watched them leave the island, before promptly making his way to where the millelith officer had pointed to. Taking larger steps to further accelerate his progress.
When he arrived at the aforementioned location, he spotted her with three officers stood at the ready. Presumably relaying the last of the orders that she had in mind for them. The moment she noticed his gaze, she gave the three of them a sharp nod, before they gave her one final salute and going on their merry own way.
They also stopped and gave him a salute right before they passed him. A gesture that he could only reply to with an awkward nod. His eyes still stuck on them with confusion as they closed their distance between one another.
"I still can't get used to-,"
His words died out the moment he felt her arms snake around his neck. Keqing burying her face into the crook of his neck.
"…Keqing?"
She stilled for a heartbeat. Before tightening the hold that she had on him.
"Please. Never do that again."
Her quivering, watery voice now clear as day in his ears. The concern that she had for him overflowing from embrace alone.
"I thought I lost you."
Right. That whole getting slammed into the side of the mountain by an ancient deity's power beam thing.
It didn't take long for him to hold her tight all the same. Making sure that she knows that he is right there, in her arms.
"Sorry…" He spoke softly. His hand finding its way through her hair, "But you know there was no way I was going to sit by and do nothing, right?"
"I know. Damn it, Aether – I know! Why did you think I wanted to keep you out of this in the first place?" She pushed her face deeper. A mix of frustration and affection within her voice, "Just next time… Please…"
A fond smile fettered his lips. He gave her a soft peck on her hair.
"Alright. Don't worry, I'll be more careful next time…"
Her muffled hum of agreement was all the he could hear. His hold on her now stable and sure, keeping it that way for as long as she had needed it to be.
Keqing couldn't stop working that night.
There she was sat at the desk of her own room. Though she had already changed into her nightgown hours before, her mind just couldn't stop replaying the events of the day.
How her heart had dropped to her stomach when she saw him get hit by the giant beam of pure energy.
How she had thought that she had lost him when she saw him plummet to the earth almost lifelessly.
It just wouldn't stop springing itself into the forefront of her thoughts.
Eventually, she frustratedly scratch at her head. Lantern Rite is just weeks away, she couldn't afford to be distracted now of all times.
Yet, no matter how much work she had tried to sink herself into, not only did she got nothing done, but now she had found it difficult to even feel any semblance of fatigue.
Placing her paperwork aside, she sighed. Relenting to what her heart had been telling her.
"I need to see him."
She spent no more time dwelling on it. Finding her house shoes in the corner of her room, she quickly grabs hold of her dispatch and teleported herself into the teapot. Finding herself by the desk of her study as she normally would, and swiftly making her way out of her room and onto the front steps of his own.
Gently cracking the door open, she peeked into his room. Spotting his sleeping form cooped up in bed.
After letting herself in, she shut the door with the same force as she had opened it. She knew that it had been well past midnight, so to find him in a deep slumber is nothing that she hadn't accounted for. Especially considering the events of the day.
Tip toeing closer to his bed, she carefully sat on the vacant side of his bed. Taking his sleeping face in, before softly caressing a few strands of his hair that was threatening to make itself at home in his mouth. His soft mumbles eliciting a giggle from her.
It was a rare sight for her to see him in anything other than his usual clothes. She couldn't have welcomed a better change. The man looks cute in his pyjamas.
For a few minutes, she did nothing but caress his face and occasionally running her fingers through his hair. Just relishing at the fact that he is still right there, beneath her touch.
Watching how his shoulders have risen and fallen with every breath he takes.
She was so lost at the sight of him, that she almost didn't hear the small groan that came from within him.
Followed by the shift of his hands as it rubbed a little bit of sleep out of his eyes, which opened to instantly connect her own.
"…Keqing?" His voice still heavily ladened with sleep, he propped himself up with an elbow, "Is everything alright? Are you okay?"
Her wellbeing first, as always with this man.
"Everything's fine. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up."
He made a move to get out of bed, "It's alright, I just-,"
"No, just… stay."
A second pass by, and he opted to remain in the same position.
"I just wanted to see you. That's all."
He hummed in understanding, taking note of what she had been wearing.
"It's rare for me to see you wear anything else, much less a nightgown." He remarked, pausing to settle an incoming yawn, "Can't sleep?"
Vigilant as always. She saw no reason to say anything else.
"…Yes." She picked at her fingers, "Not after today's events."
Another hum of understanding came out of him. A bout of silence passing through them before he shifted closer and raised the blanket to showcase his open arms.
"Hop in then."
"…What?"
Though he was basically half-conscious at that point, the smile he gave her did not lack its usual warmth.
"I used to let my sister sleep close to me when we were younger. It helps her feel safe." He explained, shrugging afterwards, "Maybe it would work on you too?"
Any other time, she would have outright rejected his offer. Citing that she was old enough to sleep on her own, and without the need to have someone by her side just to make her feel "safe".
But she couldn't find it within her to reject the offer.
Being in his arms is a source of comfort that she would always flee to, if she had the chance.
So, why refuse?
"…F-Fine." She raised the end of the blanket, sliding her legs underneath, "J-Just for tonight, okay?"
He flashed her a sleepy yet knowing smile.
"Sure."
Inching closer towards him, she finally had all of her body shifting underneath the blanket. Initially tentative about laying her head on his chest, before the feeling of his arm wrapping around her through the crook of her neck, caused her to fully give in to the comfort.
Maybe she would have to reconsider that whole "Just for tonight" statement. Because she wasn't sure if she would ever find such a soft and welcoming warmth through any other means.
It was his turn to begin absentmindedly caressing her hair. His touch enticing a light purr out of her, before he began murmuring against her ears.
"You know, this makes it all worth the risk."
She nudged closer to him, "What does?"
"Having you here by my side." His voice gradually growing softer as sleep began to overtake his physique once more, "I'll fight any amount of gods if it means having you here in my arms every night."
Well, at least now she knows that he is most definitely okay.
Two can play at that game, mister.
"What's next, are you going to tell me to move in?"
His slight pause made her think that she had caught him off guard. But his answer had proved it to be anything but.
"Sounds like a good idea." He nuzzled onto the side of her head, "You spend half your time here anyways. It'll save you some time from going back and forth from different locations."
Okay, she hadn't expected him to be that direct.
Yet the prospect of it all couldn't help but to entice her idealistic mind. Like he said, she has a lot of her work strewn around her study here anyways, having to constantly shift between the items in her own house and in the teapot can sometimes be quite a hassle. Why wouldn't it be a good idea for her to just move in?
That, and the added bonus of being able to see him more often.
It all sounded like a life that she could very much get used to.
But of course, she wasn't about to let him win that easily.
"…I'll think about it."
He could feel his smile against her hair.
"Alright." This time, he left a peck on her forehead, "Take your time. I'll wait for you."
She knows he will.
A part of her also knew that they can pretty much chalk it up to a matter of time. Her decision is set, and it was all about finding the right time.
Noticing that he was slipping further and further away from the realm of consciousness, she gave him a light kiss on the edge of his lips.
"Good night, sleepyhead." Lightly running her finger on his cheek, "Sweet dreams."
His grip on her tightened for a moment.
"Good night, Keqing."
And just like that, the two nodded off into their respective slumbers.
Though her night had been a dreamless one, it was the best sleep that she had ever gotten in her lifetime.